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Weekly Forum: February 3, 2015

The Weekly Forum for February 3, 2015 asks about the British tradition of naming their homes. From those dwelling names throughout the Canon, what conclusions can we make regarding Dr Watson’s choices of those names for his stories? Has there been a Catalogue of Canonical Residence Names created by anyone in the past? Is this a literary endeavour worthy of addressing by the Society?

A Canonical Compendium of Residences and Occupants

The John H Watson Society

February 6, 2015

Listed are the names of the residences and occupants named in the stories and books of the Canon. It is the Society’s hope that, eventually, Members will chose one or more of these residences and offer research on the place names and the British tradition of naming homes. The Society envisions individual or cooperative articles for The Watsonian or perhaps monographs arising from this research into the Canonical Nomenclature of Residences. Please contact Buttons if you have interest in writing an article or monograph.

Weekly Forum: February 3, 2015 — 14 Comments

“Gwen” is on to something. We’d all like a copy of such a list. Perhaps the JHWS could make one. Let’s take one step at a time. How about if five members of the Society each pick one Canonical residence apiece and discuss the background and connotations of the name. If more than five members volunteer, the more the better. Each should post their research on this blog for the rest of the group to see. The thread could readily be turned into another of those signature joint papers, which the JHWS has pioneered. It would be a fine addition to the October issue of The Watsonian….
So who are the first five and what are your choices?

Hi All–Looked in Stephen Clarkson’s delightful ‘The Canonical Compendium’ and found a list with 66 names under the title of Addresses/Place Names—Manors and Estates. I’m certainly willing to send a scan of this list to anyone who wishes to have one. This list does not contain any additional/expanded information beyond a story designation.

I purchased mine as a .pdf, and then had it printed for ease of use by Best Value Copy. I emailed the file to them, they printed it double-sided, bound it with a plastic ring, and put heavy stock covers on it for about $15. Totally worth it!

Following on Dr Katz’s lead, It would be fun to develop a full discussion on these place namess, more than just a listing. I would be willing to take on five subjects, opting for my very favorite, Wisteria Lodge, as well as Pondicherry Lodge, Riding Thorpe Manor, Stoke Moran, and Hurlstone. We should try to aim for the October issue of The Watsonian with a complete article, or it may make a very interesting joint-effort issue of the Monograph Series, something like 12 Members writing on 5 residences each (with one extra).Of course, the most interesting question of all is whether the residences at 221 or 221B Baker Street had an exterior descriptive name in addition to the address? Many of the homes and buildings on the modern day Baker Street retain unique residence names.

Looking through the list, I notice Camden House [EMPT] does not appear. Of course, it doesn’t actually have any residents at the time the Good Doctor describes, unless one counts Moran, Holmes, and Watson himself. 😉

It certainly could do so if the individual authors wish to include these references of prior research; otherwise, they may wish to approach it in a different manner and emphasize other aspects of the subject. As always, new information is always hoped for.